4.0 GPA, 34R Mcat- Where to apply and advice for improving

[dreamer67]

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[ppappui]

You really love New England, dontcha?

 

[kobemd54]

Your MCAT bio score is on the lower end of top tier schools but it doesn't warrant a retake because of your 4.0 and 34 MCAT (12 on verbal is great!). Remember that a lot of the top tier schools are heavily research oriented so continue to do research.

 

[dreamer67]

You really love New England, dontcha?

😍Yes! Too bad they are all super competitive and the 10 in BS isn't helping my chances

 

[Catalystik]

4.0 GPA, 34R MCAT (12VR, 12 PS, 10BS)

ECs:
May 11-Present- Undergrad Research 12-20 hrs/wk
Jan 11 - present: ER externship 35 hrs/week Jan; 4 hrs/week Feb-pres.
Jan 11 - present: Orthopaedic surgery externship 3-4 hrs/week
Jan 11 - May 11: Tutor at University 4 hrs/week
Feb 10 - May 10: Obesity Awareness Project- leadership- group leader for group of 5; researched obesity and gave 2 presentations at University; created and distributed pamphlets
Summer 10: 3 weeks volunteering/shadowing in Europe at OB/GYN clinic 25 hrs/wk
May 10 - present: member of volunteering group at University. participate in events such as cancer walks, habitat for humanity shed and house build, etc. 3 hrs/wk
2009 - present: Job as an administrative assistant doing financial work, like deposits, and coming up with promotions
Summers 09-present: Cashier at gas station

School List so far:
Boston University
Tufts University
Brown
Yale
UCONN
Dartmouth Medical School
University of Vermont College of Medicine

1) Don't know where else to apply but I won't be applying until 2012. Any suggestions?

2) What are my chances of getting in to top tier schools?

1) Schools in your half of the country, within reach with your stats, that have a decent OOS matriculation rate, for you to research for "fit":

UVirginia,
Sinai, SLU, NYU, Emory, UCentral Florida, Ohio State,
Rochester, Miami, Einstein, SUNY Downstate, UMaryland, Georgetown, Stony Brook,
Cincinnati, Jefferson, FIU (13%), Virginia Tech (newer, research focus), Temple
Toledo, Wake, NYMC, PennState, Buffalo

2) What are the chances that you'll be allowed a lead position, running your own project, sometime soon? Might you get a publication, or at least Posters/Presentations before application time? What strong element of leadership can you insert into your application before you submit that will suggest to "top schools" that you have the potential to be a future leader in medicine?

 

[dreamer67]

I do run my own project, but it is under a post-doc's supervision (I can send you more information if you want, but I don't want to post exactly what I do here). I strongly doubt I will have a publication or poster/presentation, because it isn't something undergrads at my school get to do (a presentation may be possible though). And what are some examples of strong leadership?

Thanks for the list of schools; that is really helpful. Would you say I have a decent chance at any of the schools I've listed, or should I cross some of them off my list?

1) Schools in your half of the country, within reach with your stats, that have a decent OOS matriculation rate, for you to research for "fit":

UVirginia,
Sinai, SLU, NYU, Emory, UCentral Florida, Ohio State,
Rochester, Miami, Einstein, SUNY Downstate, UMaryland, Georgetown, Stony Brook,
Cincinnati, Jefferson, FIU (13%), Virginia Tech (newer, research focus), Temple
Toledo, Wake, NYMC, PennState, Buffalo

2) What are the chances that you'll be allowed a lead position, running your own project, sometime soon? Might you get a publication, or at least Posters/Presentations before application time? What strong element of leadership can you insert into your application before you submit that will suggest to "top schools" that you have the potential to be a future leader in medicine?

 

[Catalystik]

Yale is pretty reachy, but I think you have a shot at the other schools on your original list. Having some dream schools is fine though, 'cause you never know.'

Your shot at the most selective schools will depend on how you describe your activities. For your current project, did you form your own hypothesis, decide how to test it, will you gether the data, form conclusions, and potentially write a publishable paper? All these things suggest a substantive research project.

Leaders find ways to lead. You mentioned a small-group leadership role, which is a nice start. Making a difference is a nice thing to see, whatever you choose. Some old posts I've saved on leadership follow:

From a conversation with an adcomm member I learned that (at his school) one gets points for the intensity of the leadership experiences listed. Here are some examples of activities I've learned of on SDN and how I'd rank them (opinions, as always, may vary). Multiple experiences increase the score. It's OK to shine in another area if leadership isn't your forte.

Level I: 1) President of a club for a year. Led meetings. 2) Start small, common-interest club eg card playing, sport, adventure, campus cleanup. 3) Train freshman mentors. 4) Initiate food drive among your friends and collect donations for a food pantry. 5) Member of student senate.

Level II: 1) Club officer multiple years, eventually president, key in iniciating new projects. 2) Start new club, attracting 20+ members to do community service, and/or arranging speakers, and/or successfully campaigning for a change on campus. 3) Shift supervisor or trainer of new employees. 4) Team captain. 5) Officer of student senate.

Level III: 1) Board member for health-related organization or charitable foundation for several years who helps organize/participate in health fairs, involved in presentations to get funding for projects, brings opinions to the meetings and campaigns to effect change. 2) President of three clubs some of which do community service or raise money for projects. 3) Organize 3-4 charity concerts with large attendance coordinating multiple committees. 4) Direct a play or other large production.

Level IV: 1) Chief Editor of school paper, writing editorials to sway opinion. Direct policy and staff. 2) President of student senate; initiates and carries through major change, coordinating large subcommittees. 3) NCO or officer in the armed forces who trained/led a team/unit in combat.

Level V: 1) Founded a charitable group, raised thousands of dollars for many projects, multiple year involvement, group continues after your departure. Branch groups started in other locations under your leadership. 2) Start a free clinic, recruit doctors, nurses, and student workers to volunteer their time. Raise the money for supplies/pharmaceuticals or get them donated. Help hundreds to thousands of patients in the time you're involved. 3) Start a successful company with 5+ employees and make a profit. Guide growth, legal and financial aspects.

Leadership is not essential. Don't do it just to check a box and frankly, I never give much wait to leadership positions in clubs. What really gets us excited is taking charge of a large group of your peers or taking responsibility for "stuff" including other people's money. Teaching/tutoring is, in my mind, a different box. I've seen people take team captain role on a sports team or in organizing a group of peers to accomplish a task or as a service role for a group (such as president of a frat).3/29/10

 

[dreamer67]

Great advice Catalystik. Thank you very much. I'll work on looking for leadership opportunities.